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Friday, April 25, 2014

52 Ancestors #11 - Edward Doty

Edward Doty came on the Mayflower as a servant to Stephen
Hopkins but he must have been close to the end of his indenture and likely an
adult since he signed the Mayflower Compact. This means he was probably born
around 1599. He died in Plymouth Colony on August 23, 1655.

Edward may have been married twice but nothing is known of
his first wife, if indeed she existed. Her existence is implied by a comment
made by William Bradford that Edward had a “second wife.” He married Faith
Clarke, daughter of Thurston Clarke on January 6, 1634/5 in Plymouth. Faith
outlived him and married John Phillips after Edward died. Faith was buried in
Marshfield on December 21, 1675.

Edward was a planter.

He fought a duel shortly after his arrival. William Bradford
recorded “ …the first duel fought in New England, upon a challenge at single
combat with sword and dagger, between Edward Doty and Edward Leister, servants
of Mr. Hopkins. Both being wounded, one in the hand, the other in the thigh,
they are adjudged by the whole company to have their head and feet tied
together, and so to lie for twenty-four hours, without meat or drink; which is
begun to be inflicted, but within an hour, because of their great pains, at
their own and their master’s humble request, upon promise of better carriage,
they are released by the governor.”

The duel was just the first of Edward's trips to court. He was frequently in court for fighting, slandering,
trespass, and debt. He was the defendant in three civil suits, all involving
hogs.

On January 2, 1633/4, the Court settled a dispute between Edward
Doty and his apprentice John Smith, reducing the time of apprenticeship from
ten years to five.

On March 24, 1633/4, Edward Doty was fined for breaking the
peace and drawing blood from Josias Cooke.

On March 28, 1634, Edward Doty won a suit against Francis
Sprague.

On March 7, 1636/7, Edward Doty was found guilty of a
“deceitful bargain” over a lot of land, and restored the lot to George Clarke.
The controversy continued and George Clarke won damages from Doty in October
1637. The same day as that judgment, Doty was charged with assault and battery
on Clarke and fined additional moneys.

He was sued and lost all four cases of debt and trespass
between 1638 and 1651. He won a trespass suit against James Luxford on December
7, 1641.

On February 1, 1641/2, Edward Doty was charged with
carelessly allowing cattle put in his hands to “break into men’s corn” endangering
the cattle and other property. He was ordered to put his cattle in a “keep.”

Children of Edward & Faith (Clarke) DotyEdward was born about 1636; married Sarah Faunce.John was born about 1638; married Elizabeth Cooke and second, Sarah (probably Rickard).Thomas was born about 1640; married Mary Churchill and possibly another wife named Mary.Samuel was born about 1642; married Jeane HarmanDesire was born about 1645; married three times. First marriage was to William Sherman, second was to Israel Holmes, and third was to Alexander Standish.Elizabeth was born about 1646; married John RowseIsaac was born February 8, 1647/8; married Elizabeth England, widow.Joseph was born April 30, 1651; married Deborah Ellis and Sarah Edwards, widow.Mary was born about 1653; married Samuel Hatch in 1677 and Eleazer Churchill in 1685.